University of St Andrews: University marks opening of Entrepreneurship Centre

A serial entrepreneur and business start-up strategy expert will deliver a keynote speech at the official launch of the University of St Andrews Entrepreneurship Centre at Eden Campus, Guardbridge on Monday (October 3).

Renowned entrepreneur Hugh Chappell, who is also an established Dragons’ Den-style ‘angel investor’, has been invited to mark the opening of the new centre based at Walter Bower House at the University’s Eden Campus.

The Centre provides start-up and spin-out opportunities, practical entrepreneurial training courses, and a full calendar of events, available to the University community and non-University members.

During his address, Mr Chappell will highlight the importance entrepreneurial thinking and skills development have on the growth and sustainability of our economy and how the University’s Entrepreneurship Centre can play a major role in delivering those objectives.

The Centre will be officially opened by Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, who said: “This is an important moment in our journey to embed entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking within the University of St Andrews, and we are delighted to be officially ‘cutting the ribbon’ on this facility to celebrate its many achievements so far.”

University Quaestor and Factor Derek Watson said: “Since opening its doors for the first time in September 2021, the Entrepreneurship Centre has had fantastic success by integrating itself into the university eco-system. Across two structured programmes covering for-profit enterprises and social entrepreneurship, the training allows participants to develop their ideas further.”

Mr Watson, who will host the event, added: “Alongside the programmes, the Centre hosts a busy events calendar including Lunch & Learn workshops, regular pitching sessions and a fantastic Speaker Series. The Centre also provides support to University spin-outs who have collectively raised £1.2m in non-dilutive funding over the last 16 months.”